Here's the statute:

http://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.61.525

That you hit the car in front of you means that you were following too closely, failed to control your vehicle or were going too fast for conditions. That last part has nothing to do with the speed limit. If you were going 5 mph and hit the car in front of you that would still be too fast for conditions.

Anyway, you can hire an attorney if you want, but I don't see the need to spend that kind of money since you aren't likely to beat the ticket.

And even if you did manage to beat the ticket, your insurance company will still pay the other driver and surcharge your policy for at least three years.

See if your traffic court website has a search feature where you can run your name and see what comes up. Or call the court and ask if there is a citation pending.